Strabismus Surgeon Lancaster PA

Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania is the leading full-service ophthalmology practice in the Lancaster, PA area. David S. Goldberg, MD is a leading strabismus surgeon and fellowship-trained, board certified pediatric ophthalmologist who specializes in treating strabismus disorders in children and adults.

Strabismus, more commonly known as “crossed eye” or “wandering eye,” is a condition in which the eyes are misaligned and do not focus together, often resulting in double vision.

Misaligned eyes are common in children but less common in adults, and pediatric ophthalmologists, such as Dr. Goldberg at Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania, have the extensive expertise in treating the condition. Strabismus affects about 4% of Americans and can be treated at any age.

Strabismus means that both eyes are not looking at the same place at the same time; one eye may point straight ahead while the other eye points up or down. A straying eye may turn inward (esotropia), outward (exotropia), or look upward (hypertropia) or downward (hypotropia) instead of at the target.

Strabismus can be caused by problems with the eye muscles, the nerves that transmit information to the muscles, or the control center in the brain that directs eye movements.

Strabismus almost always appears at an early age. When infants are 3 to 6 months old, their eyes may waver and turn upward or outward independently of one another. This usually corrects itself. However, if the condition persists, it may be a sign of strabismus. Children do not outgrow strabismus and, if not corrected, the condition will continue into adulthood.

Adults may suffer from strabismus that was never treated during childhood, or was treated but has worsened or recurred. They may also develop strabismus as a result of medical conditions, such as thyroid eye disease (e.g., Graves ’ disease), stroke, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, or brain and orbital tumors. Strabismus may also develop after a head or eye injury.

How is Strabismus Treated?

The goal of strabismus treatment is to improve the alignment of the eyes so they can better work together.

There are six muscles responsible for moving each eyeball. If one of the muscles is too strong or too weak, it can cause the eye to turn in, turn out, or rotate too high or low. Treatment may involve eyeglasses, prismatic glasses and/ or eye muscle surgery.

The eyes can be realigned by weakening or tightening the muscles during surgery. Surgery can be performed on one eye or both eyes in order to balance and straighten the eyes. The patient’s brain must then learn to use the eyes together. The success of the surgery depends on how difficult it is to re-align the eyes and how well the patient’s brain adjusts to using the eyes together.

Many adults are erroneously told that nothing can be done to treat their strabismus. In most cases, eye muscle surgery is successful, safe, and effective treatment for adults of all ages, even if they have had previous eye muscle surgery.

Dr. David S. Goldberg is a highly respected ophthalmologist and strabismus surgeon who serves Lancaster County, Schuylkill County and Berks County, PA. If you think you or your child may have the symptoms of strabismus, contact Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania at (800) 762-7132 x 3245 to schedule an evaluation as soon as possible. For an appointment, call toll-free 1-800-762-7132.

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Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania has locations in Pottstown, Pottsville, Blandon, Wyomissing and the Reading PA areas. Our board certified eye doctors provide comprehensive, family and pediatric eye care and are experienced in all areas of ophthalmology and optometry. Learn more about our eye doctors.